Downhill from Stelvio, in the night, with no hands, no brakes!

This is the story of the last record attempt of Giuliano Calore, a racing cyclist, world champion of extreme cycling, holder of 13 records and won 98 medals. He was born in Padova (north-east Italy) in 1938. The movie titled “48 Tornanti di Notte” (48 Hairpin Bends by Night) tells about his most impressive challenge so far: descending from the Stelvio Pass – at an altitude of 2758 m – at night, with all of its 48 hairpin turns, on a bike with no handlebars or brakes, illuminated only by a torch and moonlight.

The trailer of the movie:

Some achievements and records of Giuliano Calore:

There was a fabulous ice-cream maker in Bologna. From the age of 14, he started riding from Padova to Bologna and back to buy their ice-creams. It was a 240 kilometers (150 miles) round trip.

1981 – up and down the Stelvio, while playing four different musical instruments with a total weight of 33 kg.

“Giuliano Calore, born in Padova (north-east Italy) in 1938, is a living legend of extreme cycling. Some of his extraordinary exploits are now to be found in the Guinness Book of World Records, and led him to receive the coveted honour of King of Records in his field.”

“During the film shootings Giuliano, who is now 77 years old, has decided to suprise us achieving one last record: he wants to exploit the twists and turns of the legendary Monte Stelvio Pass, the scenic location of some of his previous astounding demonstrations of equilibrium, tenacity and inexhaustible strength, and also where some of the most famous moments in the history of cycling have taken place.”

“This is his most impressive challenge so far: descending from the Stelvio Pass – at an altitude of 2758 m – at night, with all of its 48 hairpin turns, on a bike with no handlebars or brakes, illuminated only by a torch and moonlight.”

“’48 Tornanti di Notte’ tells the incredible story of this extraordinary character, with a boundless passion for cycling and a free, unconventional lifestyle.
A no-hands descent into our fears, ambitions, passions and dreams.”

Here is the video of Calore’s 1986 descent from Passo dello Stelvio with no hands & no brakes.

Passo dello Stelvio

Passo dello Stelvio (Stelvio Pass)

At an elevation of 2,757 m (9,045 ft) above sea level, Passo dello Stelvio (English: the Stelvio Pass) is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, and the second highest in the Alps, just 13 m (43 ft) below France’s Col de l’Iseran (2,770 m /9,088 ft).

The Stelvio first featured in the Giro d’Italia in 1953, and Fausto Coppi was the first atop it (Coppi also won the stage and the 1953 Giro). It is also the highest point of Cima Coppi, the summit with highest altitude reached by cyclists during the Giro d’Italia, which was established in 1965, five years after the death of the “Il Campionissimo” (champion of champions) Fausto Coppi.